WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Over the course of three days, Mount Saint Charles 14-U left no doubt as to its top ranking among Bantam teams in New England. The Mounties went 2-0-1 with a win over the Neponset Valley River Rats and a victory and tie against Islanders Hockey Club.
The team, coached by Frank O’Connor and John O’Connor, has a boatload of talent. Its first power-play unit is lethal. There are a few players on this Mount team that are among the very best '07s in North America.
At 18-2-1, the team has outscored its opponents by 99 goals over the course of 21 games. Only one team, Pittsburgh Penguins Elite, has been able to knock Mount off this season. Both setbacks came in the USHL Fall Classic in Pittsburgh.
Here’s a scouting report on the players who have stood out in my three viewings of Mount Saint Charles this season, including Friday night’s 6-2 win over the River Rats.
Conrad Fondrk
6/1/07, C, left shot, 5-9/160
Fondrk, from St. Paul, Minn., is an elite offensive player at this age level. He drives the net, protects pucks, and can create offense every time he hops over the boards. His vision and offensive instincts stand out. He had a goal and an assist against the River Rats on Friday night. A power forward, the future is bright for the newcomer to the region.
Liam Kilfoil
3/31/07, C, left shot, 5-9/150
Kilfoil is listed on the line chart as the second-line center, but he’s a dynamic, two-way player. His ability to impact the game in all three zones is uncanny for this age level. The Quispamsis, N.B., native is a cerebral, 200-foot center. He’s a complete player whose skating will translate to success at the next level.
Dylan Krayer
3/12/07, RW, right shot, 5-6/120
Krayer’s skating is what you notice right away. He has that quick twitch and can separate from opposing defenders. He creates offense on the rush and can skate with anyone. The Concord, Mass., native had a couple of power-play points on Friday night.
Matthew Grimes
5/19/07, D, left shot, 5-8/135
Grimes is an offensive defenseman with good size for his age. The Locust Valley, N.Y., native skates well, has patience and poise with the puck, holds the blue line, and can snap off a puck quickly and with zip. He senses the play well and made a nice pinch to score the team’s first goal against the River Rats. He finished with a nice wrister into the top corner of the net.
Nic Whitehead
2/11/07, LW, left shot, 5-9/140
Whitehead is a player who has generated buzz among this age level for quite a while. The Orlando, Fla., native has previously played for the Long Island Gulls and Mid Fairfield Rangers. His skating, particularly his speed, is what makes him such a good player. He created offense on the rush and made plays with his vision. If he can play more in the middle of the ice, his game will improve further.
Egan Beveridge
1/11/07, RW, right shot, 5-8/145
Beveridge, from East Kingston, N.H., is a physically mature, polished player who has been at the top of this age group for a couple of years now. He’s strong, forechecks hard, plays with grit, and goes to all the dirty areas. He wins a lot of puck battles and has a hard shot.
Tristian Boudreau
2/8/07, D, left shot, 6-2/180
Boudreau is a big defenseman who I had never seen before this fall. The Ottawa, Ontario, native is a big, physical blueliner. He has an intimidating presence and keeps opposing forwards to the perimeter. He had a goal against the Rats. Typically, he keeps it simple and makes smart, efficient decisions with the puck. His skating is just average, but his size will give him ample opportunity to advance.
Ryan Denes
1/8/07, G, catches left, 6-0/165
Denes was solid this weekend, making a couple of nice saves against the Rats and then shutting out the Islanders Hockey Club a day later. He skates well and has quick reflexes. From Saugus, Calif., he is a nice goaltending prospect at this age group.
Dallas Potter
6/9/07, RW, right shot, 5-2/100
Potter is the third-line right wing, but he plays on the team’s second power-play unit. He’s on the smaller side, but he skates well and competes hard. He keeps his feet moving, forechecks with tenacity, and had an assist Friday night.
Jack Kennedy
6/9/07, LW, right shot, 5-10/155
Kennedy scored a couple of goals Friday night. He’s a physical, north-south, power forward from Suwanee, Ga. Formerly of the Nashville Junior Predators, Kennedy is a late addition to the Mounties. He uses his size and strength to go to the net and picks up a lot of garbage goals.
Dom Somma
7/16/07, D, right shot, 6-2/175
Somma came to Mount Saint Charles from the Connecticut Junior Whalers. He’s a big, physical defenseman. The Rye, N.Y., native will have to improve his skating as he makes the jump to midget hockey. If he does that and continues playing with a mean streak, there will be interest in the hulking blueliner.
Simon Wang
7/27/07, C, left shot, 5-8/140
Wang, from Tianjin, China, played for the Toronto Nationals previously. He’s a player who would be in the top six for most bantam teams in the region, but he’s the third line center for the Mounties. Wang appears to skate well and has above-average offensive vision.
